U.S. patent application number 10/304512 was filed with the patent office on 2004-05-27 for method and system for physically exercising with plurality of participants using network.
Invention is credited to Park, Seung-Hun.
Application Number | 20040103146 10/304512 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 32325233 |
Filed Date | 2004-05-27 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040103146 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Park, Seung-Hun |
May 27, 2004 |
Method and system for physically exercising with plurality of
participants using network
Abstract
Disclosed is a method and system for physically exercising with
plurality of participants using a network wherein a user can
exercise continuously and interestedly without feeling boredom. The
system is characterized by comprising: a server which provides a
virtual common space for one or more participants to be connected
through the network, and makes the participants participate in the
virtual common space as virtual objects; and one or more state
signal generation apparatus for generating, and providing for the
server through the network, one or more state signals including
each exercise state signal corresponding to each physical action of
the participants so as to control each action of the virtual
objects corresponding to each physical action of the
participants.
Inventors: |
Park, Seung-Hun;
(Kyoungki-Do, KR) |
Correspondence
Address: |
NOTARO AND MICHALOS
100 DUTCH HILL ROAD
SUITE 110
ORANGEBURG
NY
10962-2100
US
|
Family ID: |
32325233 |
Appl. No.: |
10/304512 |
Filed: |
November 26, 2002 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
709/204 ;
705/3 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 2220/12 20130101;
G16H 40/67 20180101; A63B 2225/20 20130101; A63B 2230/30 20130101;
A63B 22/02 20130101; A63B 24/0084 20130101; A63B 2230/42 20130101;
G16H 20/30 20180101; A63B 22/0056 20130101; A63B 2220/30 20130101;
A63B 24/0087 20130101; A63B 2230/01 20130101; A63B 22/0605
20130101; A63B 2230/04 20130101; A63B 2071/0627 20130101; H04L
69/329 20130101; A63B 22/0076 20130101; A63B 2071/0644 20130101;
A63B 2230/60 20130101; A63B 2230/70 20130101; A63B 2071/0625
20130101; A63B 71/0622 20130101; A63F 13/212 20140902; G06F 3/011
20130101; G09B 19/0038 20130101; A63B 21/0724 20130101; A63B
2225/15 20130101; H04L 67/36 20130101; H04L 67/38 20130101; A63B
2024/0096 20130101; A63F 13/65 20140902 |
Class at
Publication: |
709/204 ;
705/003 |
International
Class: |
G06F 015/16; G06F
017/60 |
Claims
1. A multi-participant physical exercise system which uses a
network and an exercise apparatus, said system being characterized
by comprising: a server which provides a virtual common space for
one or more participants to be connected through the network, and
makes the participants participate in the virtual common space as
virtual objects; and one or more state signal generation apparatus
for generating, and providing for the server through the network,
one or more state signals including each exercise state signal
corresponding to each physical action of the participants so as to
control each action of the virtual objects, corresponding to each
physical action of the participants.
2. A multi-participant physical exercise system according to claim
1, said multi-participant physical exercise system further
comprising a virtual object generation means for generating one or
more virtual objects in the virtual common space whose actions are
controlled by each state signals.
3. A multi-participant physical exercise system according to claim
1, said state signal generation apparatus, further comprising: one
or more sensing section for sensing a physical action (exercise
state) and/or a physical health state of the participant; a
processor for receiving a sensing signal SNS of the sensing section
and generating state signals indicating the exercise state and/or
the health state of the participants; and an interface means for
transmitting said state signals to the server through the
network.
4. A multi-participant physical exercise system according to claim
1, said virtual common space, which is provided in the server,
comprising a certain exercise competition using a change in each
action of the virtual objects.
5. A multi-participant physical exercise system according to claim
1, said virtual common space, which is provided in the server,
comprising a certain game using a change in each action of the
virtual objects.
6. A multi-participant physical exercise system according to claim
1, said state signals comprising a state signal of a physical
health state to be sensed in the state signal generation apparatus,
and information on a health state of the participants being
analyzed using the state signal of the physical health state in the
server and provided from the server.
7. A multi-participant physical exercise system according to claim
1, said server comprising a memory means for storing personal
information and information on the health state of the
participants, and providing information on a history of a health
condition of the participants using the information stored on the
memory means.
8. A multi-participant physical exercise system according to claim
7, the memory means further comprising a smart card.
9. A method of physically exercising with plurality of participants
using a network and an exercise apparatus, said method being
characterized by comprising the steps of: connecting each of state
signal generation apparatus of one or more participants to a server
through the network; constructing a virtual common space for a game
or an exercise competition in the server and providing the virtual
common space in common to each of the participants so as for each
of the participants to participate as virtual objects; performing
the game or the exercise competition on the basis of the virtual
common space; generating in one or more state signal generation
apparatus and providing to the server through the network from the
state signal generation apparatus, one or more state signals
including each exercise state signal corresponding to each physical
action of the participants so as to control each action of the
virtual objects corresponding to each physical action of the
participants; and controlling each action of the virtual objects so
as to fit into the game or the exercise competition under
performance in response to the state signals of the participants
transmitted to the server.
10. A method of physically exercising with plurality of
participants using a network according to claim 9, said method
further comprising the step of generating one or more virtual
objects so as to show the participants in the virtual common space
in the steps of providing with the virtual common space and
controlling the virtual objects.
11. A method of physically exercising with plurality of
participants using a network according to claim 9, said virtual
common space comprising a game space or an exercise competition
track in which a game or an exercise competition is executed,
virtual objects, exercise state display parts and real person
display parts.
12. A method of physically exercising with plurality of
participants using a network according to claim 9, said state
signals comprising physical health states of the participants, and
said method further comprising the step of providing with
information on at least one of measured physical health information
of the participants by the state signals of the exercise state and
the physical health state, physical strength and health evaluation
information for performing diagnosis after analyzing the physical
health information, and exercise prescription information based on
the physical health information and the physical strength and
health evaluation information.
13. A method of physically exercising with plurality of
participants using a network according to claim 9, said method
further comprising at least one of the steps of: affiliating and
registering as a member for connecting to the server or logging on
the network; reading from, or storing to, memory means such as a
smart card, a hard disk, etc., personal information and/or physical
strength and health information; and selecting one of games and
exercise competitions providing a virtual common space.
14. A method of physically exercising with plurality of
participants using a network according to claim 9, said method
further comprising one of the steps of transmitting an virtual
objects directly from the participants to the server, and selecting
one among virtual objects provided from the server.
15. A method of physically exercising with plurality of
participants using a network according to claim 9, said method
further comprising the steps of analyzing in the server etc., the
state signals on the physical health state fed back biologically
during the exercise competition or the game execution, judging
whether or not there is any participant inadequate to the exercise
competition or the game execution, and taking a measure proper to
the inadequate participant.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] (1) Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates in general to a physical
exercise system, and in particular to a method and system for
physically exercising with plurality of participants using a
virtual common space realized through a network such as the
Internet, etc.
[0003] (2) Description of Related Art
[0004] Generally, exercise is short to modern people compared with
men of former days. In particular, exercise is absolutely short
besides simple and repetitious exercise such as a mouse operation
or a keyboard operation. Furthermore, according to the rapid
diffusion of the Internet, the time for the modern people to spend
before a computer increases. Therefore, interest about health is
rising recently compared with in the past.
[0005] With such interest, a great number of exercise apparatus
were developed, and have been spread. However, the user felt
boredom when he used them several times because their action
mechanisms are simple, and thus there have been a lot of cases that
the exercise apparatus paid for at a high price were not used any
more. Devices called DDR have been spread with a burst speed, which
connect a computer game and an exercise element in order to
supplement such disadvantages. From the fact that DDR has enjoyed
large popularity compared with its simple operation, it can be
understood that interest has to be accompanied in order to
exercise.
[0006] However, the former exercise apparatus, which include DDR,
have a limit to devices to be used individually. Though the DDR
provides a mode for two persons to participate in a game at once,
it is not for participant to interact, but it is for individual
users to participate in a game in parallel.
[0007] Also, former exercise apparatus cause only a physical action
of a user, but a health condition of a user cannot be determined
nor informed. Or, exercise appropriate to a health condition of a
user cannot be prescribed. In view of interest about health of
modern people, time for taking diagnosis about a health condition
of himself in the hospitals, etc., is short in actuality.
Therefore, modern people are hard to know their own health
condition. Also, there are a lot of cases to lose health because
they cannot receive an appropriate diagnosis about their own health
condition at a proper time.
[0008] Therefore, development of exercise apparatus, which granted
a user a continuous interest, has been requested.
[0009] Also, development of exercise apparatus has been requested,
which can provide information about physical state of a user during
exercise as well as information about a health condition of a user,
and which can perform an appropriate diagnosis to a user using such
information and information on prescriptions for various
diseases.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] Accordingly, the present invention is made in order to solve
the above problems, and one object of the present invention is to
provide a method and system for physically exercising with
plurality of participants using a network wherein a user can
exercise continuously and interestedly without feeling boredom.
[0011] Further, it is another object of the present invention to
provide a method and system for physically exercising with
plurality of participants using a network which can measure and
reflect an exercise state of a user on a real time action of a
virtual object in a corresponding virtual space, and measure a
physical state of a user and provide exact information about a
health condition of a user.
[0012] It is still another object of the present invention to
provide a system and method, which can measure a change of a
physical state according to an increase or a decrease of exercise,
diagnose a health state of a user, and give or renew various kinds
of exercise prescriptions suitable for a user.
DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION
[0013] To accomplish the objects of the present invention as a
system, a multi-participant physical exercise system is provided in
accordance with one embodiment of the invention, which uses a
network and an exercise apparatus, said system being characterized
by comprising: a server which provides a virtual common space for
one or more participants to be connected through the network, and
makes the participants participate in the virtual common space as
virtual objects; and one or more state signal generation apparatus
for generating, and providing for the server through the network,
one or more state signals including each exercise state signal
corresponding to each physical action of the participants so as to
control each action of the virtual objects corresponding to each
physical action of the participants.
[0014] In this case, said multi-participant physical exercise
system may further comprise a virtual object generation means for
generating one or more virtual objects in the virtual common space
whose actions are controlled by each state signals. Also, said
state signal generation apparatus may further comprise: one or more
sensing section for sensing a physical action (exercise state)
and/or a physical health state of the participant; a processor for
receiving a sensing signal of the sensing section and generating
state signals indicating the exercise state and/or the health state
of the participants; and an interface means for transmitting said
state signals to the server through the network.
[0015] Furthermore, said virtual common space, which is provided in
the server, may comprise a certain exercise competition or a game
using a change in each action of the virtual objects. Preferably,
said state signals comprise a state signal of a physical health
state to be sensed in the state signal generation apparatus, and
information on a health state of the participants being analyzed
using the state signal of the physical health state in the server
and provided from the server. Also, said server preferably
comprises a memory means for storing personal information and
information on the health state of the participants, and provides
information on a history of a health condition of the participants
using the information stored on the memory means.
[0016] To accomplish the objects of the present invention as a
method, a method of physically exercising with plurality of
participants, in which a network and an exercise apparatus are
used, said method being characterized by comprising the steps of:
connecting each of state signal generation apparatus of one or more
participants to a server through the network; constructing a
virtual common space for a game or an exercise competition in the
server and providing the virtual common space in common to each of
the participants so as for each of the participants to participate
as virtual objects; performing the game or the exercise competition
on the basis of the virtual common space; generating in one or more
state signal generation apparatus, and providing to the server
through the network from the state signal generation apparatus, one
or more state signals including each exercise state signal
corresponding to each physical action of the participants so as to
control each action of the virtual objects corresponding to each
physical action of the participants; and controlling each action of
the virtual objects so as to fit into the game or the exercise
competition under performance in response to the state signals of
the participants transmitted to the server.
[0017] Preferably, said virtual common space comprises a game space
or an exercise competition track, in which a game or an exercise
competition is executed, virtual objects, exercise state display
parts and real person display parts. Further preferably, said
method comprises the step of generating one or more virtual objects
so as to show the participants in the virtual common space in the
steps of providing with the virtual common space and controlling
the virtual objects. Said state signals comprises physical health
states of the participants, and said method may further comprise
the step of providing with information on at least one of measured
physical health information of the participants by the state
signals of the exercise state and the physical health state,
physical strength and health evaluation information for performing
diagnosis after analyzing the physical health information, and
exercise prescription information based on the physical health
information and the physical strength and health evaluation
information.
[0018] Also, it is preferable that said method further comprises
the steps of analyzing in the server, etc., the state signals on
the physical health state fed back biologically during the exercise
competition or the game execution, judging whether or not there is
any participant inadequate to the exercise competition or the game
execution, and taking a measure proper to the inadequate
participant.
[0019] The present invention and several objects and advantages to
be achieved by this invention will become apparent from the
following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying
drawings wherein certain embodiments of this invention are set
forth by way of illustration and example.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
[0020] FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic block diagram of construction
for explaining a physical exercise system with plurality of
participants using network in accordance with one embodiment of a
system of the present invention.
[0021] FIG. 2 is a block diagram, in detail, of a state signal
generation apparatus in the multi-participant physical exercise
system of FIG. 1.
[0022] FIG. 3 is a screen configuration diagram showing one example
of a virtual common space realized in the multi-participant
physical exercise system in accordance to one embodiment of the
present invention.
[0023] FIG. 4 is a screen configuration diagram showing an example
of a display screen after finishing an exercise competition
realized in the multi-participant physical exercise system in
accordance to one embodiment of the present invention.
[0024] FIG. 5 is a flow chart showing a method of physically
exercising with plurality of participants using a network, in
accordance to one embodiment of the present invention as a
method.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0025] Now, a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be
described Owith reference to the accompanying drawings for
explaining the present invention in detail, wherein like reference
numerals depict like elements throughout the several views.
[0026] FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of construction for
explaining a physical exercise system 100 with plurality of
participants using a network 110 in accordance with one embodiment
of a system of the present invention.
[0027] As shown in FIG. 1, the multi-participant physical exercise
system 100, in which a server 120 and client systems are connected
through the network 110 such as the Internet, etc., comprises
multiple state signal generation apparatus 150, 160 and 170. The
state signal generation apparatus 150, 160 and 170 generate one or
more state signals STA1, STA2 and STA3 corresponding to each
physical action (exercise state), or health or physical strength
state (physical health state) of the participants, and provide them
to the server 120 through the network 110, said state signals STA1,
STA2 and STA3 including an exercise state, a health state, a
physical strength state, etc. The server 120 provides a virtual
common space 130 for one or more participants to be connected
through the network 110, and one or more virtual objects 180, 182
and 184 which are generated in the virtual common space 130 and
each action of which is controlled by an exercise state among state
signals STA1, STA2 and STA3. Furthermore, the server 120 provides
predetermined services using a change in each action of the virtual
objects 180, 182 and 184 in the virtual common space 130. Also,
FIG. 1 shows a system comprising a separate virtual object
generation means 140 connected to the server 120, which can be
installed in each system of the participants 215. The system can be
diversely constructed according to the conventional arts so as to
control each action of the virtual objects 180, 182 and 184
corresponding to each physical action or each exercise state of the
participants 215 at each moment. For convenience of explanation,
three state signal generation apparatus 150, 160 and 170 are shown
in FIG. 1, but it is not intended to limit the present invention
thereto.
[0028] FIG. 2 illustrates in detail an example block diagram of a
state signal generation apparatus 150, 160 and 170 in the
multi-participant physical exercise system 100 of FIG. 1.
[0029] In one embodiment shown in FIG. 2, each of the state signal
generation apparatus 150, 160 and 170 comprises one or more sensing
section 210, an amplifier 220, an A/D converter 230, a processor
240, an interface means 250, and a display means 260 installed in
the exercise apparatus 217. The sensing section 210 senses a
physical action of the participants 215. The processor 240 receives
sensing signals SNS outputted from the sensing section 210, and
generates state signals STA1 indicating an exercise state, a health
state, a physical strength state, etc., of the participant. Also,
the predetermined interface means 250 provides the generated state
signals STA1 to the server 120 via the network 110. And, the
display means 260 displays a virtual common space 130. Although it
is not shown, it is desirable that a personal information and/or
physical health information is stored/renewed in a smart card, read
from the smart card and transmitted to the server 120 by comprising
a smart card reader/writer.
[0030] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the construction of the physical
exercise system 100 with plurality of participants using network in
accordance with one embodiment of a system of the present invention
is explained in detail hereinafter.
[0031] First, the sensing section 210 comprises one or more sensors
(not shown) installed in the exercise apparatus 217 such as a
running machine, etc. The sensors output sensing signals SNS such
as exercise extent, weight, electromyogram ((EMG),
electroencephalogram (EEG), plethysmogram, etc., of the participant
215. It is desirable that, in order to obtain information on such
diverse health states, particularly on heart rate, an
electrocardiogram, body fat, etc., sensor with at least three
contact points with a body of the participant 215 (three lead type
electrocadiograph) is comprised. Since construction and action of
such sensors are apparent for those skilled in the art, detailed
explanations are omitted from this specifications for a
simplification of an explanation. The exercise apparatus 217 having
the sensing section 210 may comprise various exercise apparatus
such as a running machine, a stepper, a rowing machine, a barbell,
a horizontal bar, DDR, etc. For example, a weight scale may be
installed in a footboard of the running machine, and a tachometer
for measuring moving speed of the footboard may be comprised. A
waste calorie of a participant can be easily obtained using a
weight and an exercise speed of the participant 215 measured by the
weight scale and the tachometer.
[0032] Furthermore, the prior art exercise apparatus can be
modified and constructed so as to obtain more detailed information
on the health state of the participant 215. For example, a sensor
(not shown) for sensing arm exercise of the user can be attached to
the running machine.
[0033] Each sensing signal SNS outputted from the sensing section
210 is amplified through the amplifier 220. The output signal of
the amplifier 220 is digitalized by the A/D converter 230. The
processor 240 receives and processes the digitalized output, and
then generates a state signal STA1 relating to an exercise state, a
health state and a physical strength state of the participant 215.
The state signal STA1 comprises diverse information on exercise
speed or exercise extent of the participant 215 as well as a health
and a physical strength of the participant 215 such as
electromyogram, electroencephalogram, heart rate, etc. The state
signal STA1 generated by the processor 240 is transmitted to the
server 120 through the interface means 250 and the network 110 such
as the Internet, etc. At this case, a communication means such a
web browser, an electronic mail, etc., is comprised for
transmitting the state signals STA1 through the Internet. An
interface via a modem as well as diverse interfaces such as an xDSL
method like an ADSL (Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line), an
advanced ADSL method, a HDSL (High bit rate Digital Subscriber
Line) method, etc., an ISDN (Integrated Service Digital Network),
etc., can be used as the interface means 250. The server 120 can
provide services of a different type according to the network
access speed varying with the interface. That is, under high speed
interface environment, a virtual common space having more realism
can be provided, while it is desirable that a simplified virtual
common space is provided considering speed under low speed
interface environment.
[0034] The server 120 provides the virtual common space 130, in
which the virtual objects 180, 182 and 184 as a symbol of the
participants 215 are generated arbitrarily or optionally after
connections of the participants 215, as shown in FIG. 3. The
virtual objects 180, 182 and 184 may have any shape capable of
inducing interest of the participants 215 such as a person, a
character of a famous cartoon film, an interesting animal shape,
etc. Each action of the virtual objects 180, 182 and 184 realized
in the virtual common space 130 represents each of the participants
215 and is controlled depending on each physical motion (exercise
state) of the participants 215. The server 120 outputs the virtual
common space 130 to the participants 215 and transmits a display
signal for proceeding the exercise competition or the game to the
processor 240 via the network 110 and the interface means 250 of
the state signal generation apparatus 150, 160 and 170. Then, the
processor 240 controls a screen output of the display means 260
according to the display signal. The server 120 provides diverse
services using the motion of the virtual objects 180, 182 and 184.
The services provided by the server 120 and the virtual common
space 130 will be described in more detail in the corresponding
part of the present specification.
[0035] The state signal generation apparatus 150, 160 and 170 shown
in FIG. 2 may comprise a camera and a microphone besides the
above-mentioned construction elements, which are not shown herein.
The camera and the microphone will be used in taking pictures of
the exercise states of the participants and collecting voice
signals. The obtained picture information or voice information is
amplified through the amplifier 220 and converted through the A/D
converter 230, and then transmitted to the processor 240. The
processor 240 processes the received signals and generates state
signals STA1, STA2 and STA3, and transmits state signals STA1, STA2
and STA3 to the server 120 via the interface means 250 and the
Internet, etc. Then, the server 120 can provide various services
using the received picture and voice information.
[0036] The state signal generation apparatus 150, 160 and 170 shown
in FIG. 2 comprises the display means 260, but the display means
260 should not be comprised by the state signal generation
apparatus 150, 160 and 170. The display means 260 may be connected
directly to the network 110 such as the Internet, etc., separately
from the state signal generation apparatus 150, 160 and 170. But,
there is a difference that, when the display means 260 is
separately connected to the network such as the Internet, the
received signal is directly outputted, while the signal provided
from the server 120 can be separately processed in the processor
240 when the display means 260 is connected to the processor
240.
[0037] The server 120 may further comprise a database (not shown),
which comprises personal information of the participants, results
of exercise or a game, a health state and a physical strength state
of the participants 215 during exercise and their changes, etc.
Then, the server 120 may diagnose disease in an early stage using
the database and measuring a health and a physical strength of the
participant 215, and grasp a change in the physical state of the
participant. Then, when there is an abnormal change in the physical
state of the participant, the server 120 can detect it early, which
will be described in more detail in the following.
[0038] When the participant 215 is connected to the server 120, the
personal information of the participant 215 is read out. Of course,
when the participant 215 is connected at the first time, he inputs
his personal information. The inputted personal information is
written in the database and systematically administered. When the
participant 215 inputs his personal information (for example,
height, weight, disease history, mature disease, age, etc.,), there
is also a case that the health state of the participants 215 can be
judged on the basis of the inputted personal information. For
example, although the participants 215 ran the same distance for
the same time, the health states of the participants 215 are
decided on the basis of the personal information of the
participants 215. That is, a health state of the participant of his
fifties in age, who ran the distance of 1000m for 10 minutes, can
be judged to be better than the participant 215 of his twenties in
age who ran the same distance for the same time.
[0039] Furthermore, the server 120 can diagnose whether to have a
disease at an early stage by using information stored in the
database. For example, the early diagnosis about whether the
participant suffers from false heart disease can be performed by
measuring heart rate of the participant after running a certain
distance. During such early diagnosis process, the personal
information and the health strength information stored in the
database are used. And, the server 120 can detect a change into an
abnormal state in the body state of the participant during exercise
of the participant. For example, an abnormal increase in heart rate
or the beating of the pulse, etc., as compared with in the past
exercise, can easily detected by using the information stored in
the database. When such an abnormal change in the body state, the
server 120 can warn the participant of it, and therefore,
occurrence of a sudden accident can be prevented.
[0040] FIG. 3 is a screen configuration diagram showing one example
of the virtual common space 130 realized in the multi-participant
physical exercise system in accordance to one embodiment of the
present invention. The virtual common space 130 shown in FIG. 3 is
a running race track using a first and a second virtual objects 180
and 182. In FIG. 3, the virtual common space 130 comprises the
running race track 370, the virtual objects 180 and 182, a first
and a second exercise state display parts 330 and 340 and a first
and a second real person display parts 350 and 360.
[0041] The motions in the first and the second virtual objects 180,
182 and 184 are controlled by the first and the second state
signals STA1 and STA2 (shown in FIG. 1). The server 120 makes two
participants perform a running race game. For this performing, the
running race track 370 is arranged in the virtual common space 130,
and the first and the second virtual objects 180 and 182 line up
for the start. The server 120 provides diverse tracks such as 100m,
400m, 1,000m, etc., among which the participants can select a
running event. Real appearances of the first and the second
participants can be shown in the first and the second real person
display parts 350 and 360. Therefore, the participants can confirm
the other party.sup..box-solid.real appearance through the real
person display parts 350 and 360 by receiving an picture signal
transmitted by means of a picture transmission device (not shown)
of each sensing section 210, and have a chat with each other with
looking at a screen by transmitting a voice signal to the server
via a separate device (not shown).
[0042] In the real person display parts 350 and 360, the
appearances of the real participants need not appear, and a certain
object (for example, a picture, an advertisement, a moving picture,
etc.) capable of inducing interest of the participants can
appear.
[0043] When a match starts, the participants start exercise.
Information on an exercise state according to exercise speed or
exercise extent and a physical strength and health state of the
participants is collected by diverse sensors (not shown) included
in the sensing section 210 shown in FIG. 2, and is provided to the
server 120 via the foregoing processes. The server 120 displays the
information on the exercise state and a physical strength and
health state of the participants in the first and the second
exercise state display parts 330 and 340. In the embodiment shown
in FIG. 3, heart rate HR, respiration rate RR, and the like are
provided as the exercise states and the physical strength states of
the participants in the exercise state display parts 330 and 340.
The same effect as in a real running race can be obtained by using
physical data such as heart rate, respiration rate, exerce speed
and waste calorie of the participants and making the moving speed
of the virtual objects 180 and 182 different. Furthermore, the
server 120 can manage a match most interestingly by outputting an
effect sound for cheering the first or the second virtual object
180 or 182 while the match proceeds. When one (for example, the
first virtual objects 182) of the virtual objects 180 and 182
passes through the finish line first, the server 120 sounds a
fanfare for the first participant and outputs a message for urging
efforts to the second participant, thereby being able to increase
interest of the match.
[0044] When the match is finished, the server provides in detail
the health information of each participant using information on the
exercise states of the participants. One example of the health
information of the participant displayed on the screen instead of
the virtual common space 130 is illustrated in FIG. 4.
[0045] As known from FIG. 4, which is a screen configuration
diagram showing an example of a display screen after finishing the
exercise competition realized in the multi-participant physical
exercise system in accordance to one embodiment of the present
invention, the server 120 provides various basic physical strength
information such as agility, momentary power, muscular endurance
power, muscular power, pliability, equilibrant, cardiac and
pulmonary endurance power, etc., and information on physical
strength during exercise such as electrocardiogram, maximum oxygen
intake (VO2max), etc., as the health state of the participant.
Then, such information is synthesized and overall health state is
diagnosed. The exercise extent, weight, electromyogram,
electroencephalogram, plethysmogram, heart rate and its change,
body fat, blood pressure, etc., of the participant can also be
presented. As the server 120 provides the health state information
shown in FIG. 4, the participants 215 can exercise through an
interesting exercise competition or game without feeling boredom,
and obtain his synthetic diagnosis on his own health after
finishing exercising. Preferably, information on history of the
health states of the participants is stored in a database (not
shown) arranged in the server 120. In order to perform such action,
the server 120 can receive a user's affiliation subscription and
perform continuous diagnosis and effective health administration on
the user's health, thereby being able to function as a synthetic
health portal web site.
[0046] More desirably, the server 120 establishes comprehensive
database of all kinds of diseases and prescription about each
disease, and provides a most appropriate exercise prescription on
the basis of the established database. Exercise prescription is to
prevent diseases in advance which can occur in future, and to take
action on occurred diseases so as to be healed early by providing
with the most appropriate exercise information as for a health
state of a participant (proper kind of exercise, proper extent of
exercise, proper exercise time, etc.,). In order to give desirable
exercise prescription, the server 120 may provide information on a
health state of the participant to special medical organizations
such as hospitals, or exercise facilityies such as health clubs,
thereby capable of obtaining more special consultation.
[0047] The example of the virtual common space 130 offered in FIG.
3 is given as for a running race in which two participants 215
participate, as one service provided by the server 120, and is not
intended to limit the technical principle of the present invention.
It is possible to provide with a service of a certain kind or type
which can give continuous interest to the participant by making the
participant do a certain physical motion and displaying the
physical motion of the participant by means of corresponding
movement of the virtual objects 180 and 182 on the virtual common
space 130.
[0048] Furthermore, the number of the participant 215, whom the
server 120 provides the service to, did not necessarily have to be
a plurality who do interaction with each other. Even a single user
can take interesting exercise using diverse kinds of services such
as a hiking, climbing, etc. For example, the server 120 can realize
a climbing path or course for the single user on the virtual common
space 130. Then, the single user can take exercise using an
exercise apparatus such as a cycle, with looking at climbing or
hiking action of the virtual object reflecting himself. The server
120 can realize the variable climbing or hiking path in order to
induce continuous concern and interest of the participant and can
provide various sound effects. It is possible to make a reference
person participate in a game or an exercise competition and play
the game or the exercise competition with the reference person. It
is desirable that the server 120 provides various reference persons
who have various levels of physical strength so as to select one
similar to himself. Also, the participant can take continuous
exercise without losing interest on the virtual common space 130
which the server 120 provides. When tired, he can have a rest or
finish the exercise in the middle. When the user has finished the
game or exercise, the server 120 can provide information on the
user's exercise intent and health state as shown in FIG. 4.
[0049] With other example, the participant can exercise in an
apparatus similar to DDR, and the server can realize a service in
which the participant's exercise is sensed, and his momentary power
is measured and provided.
[0050] Furthermore, screen construction of the virtual common space
130 shown in FIG. 3, is not limitative. Rather, any screen
construction can be operative if the motion of the virtual objects
180 and 182 can be controlled and represented according to the
physical exercise of the participants 215. Preferably, the virtual
common space 130 according to the present invention is
three-dimensional virtual common space as shown in FIG. 3, for it
can provide more reality to the participants. The participants will
feel real ambience as they participate directly in the virtual
common space through the virtual objects of themselves moving in
the virtual common space. The first and the second real person
display parts 350 and 360 shown in FIG. 3 are provided in order to
increase interest by confirming each appearance of the interactive
participants directly. It is desirable that the real person
pictures to be displayed in the real person display parts 350 and
360 are transmitted using MPEG-4 compression technology for high
speed motion. In addition, the interaction of the participants may
be planned to occur more realistically by realizing sound signals
of the participants or messages inputted by the participants on the
real person display parts besides the real person pictures.
[0051] Additionally, it is more preferred that full immersion
virtual reality is provided by comprising devices (not shown) for
sensing in detail the participant's action in state signal
generation apparatus 150, 160 and 170 of the multi-participant
physical exercise system 100 according to the present invention.
For realizing full immersion virtual reality, the state signal
generation apparatus 150, 160 and 170 shown in FIG. 2 may comprise
additional devices like a three-dimensional audio device, a space
tracking device and a data glove.
[0052] However, the virtual common space 130 according to the
present invention is not limited to the three-dimensional space.
Rather, by sharing a two-dimensional virtual common space, it is
advantageous that the virtual objects can move faster. Also, the
virtual common space should not absolutely comprise the virtual
objects as an element, but information can be represented by a
simple numerical representation or graph for a fast action
speed.
[0053] FIG. 5 is a flow chart showing a method of physically
exercising with plurality of participants using a network, in
accordance to one embodiment of the present invention as a method.
The method of exercising of multiple participants using a network
according to the present invention comprises the following
steps.
[0054] First, the participant 215 connects his state signal
generation apparatus to the server 120 via a network 110. If
necessary, the step for logging in or registering (new
subscription), or the step of inputting/renewing can be given.
Although not shown, in case of comprising a smart card
reader/writer, it is possible to store the person information
and/or the physical health state in the smart card, and to
read/transmit the information from the smart card to the server
120. The participant 215 connected to the server 120 may be a
single or a plurality. At this time, the step of selecting an
exercise competition or a game (step S15) may be comprised, or if
necessary, the step of setting an environment for the exercise
competition or the game.
[0055] Subsequently, the server 120 generates virtual objects for
representing the participants (step S20). The virtual objects 180,
182 and 184 can be generated by being established by means of the
server 120, etc., arbitrarily or in a predetermined method, or in
step S16 the participants 215 can select or input and transmit his
desirable virtual objects 180, 182 and 184.
[0056] The participants 215 can participate in various services (a
game or an exercise competition) provided by the server 120 by
means of the established, selected or inputted/transmitted virtual
objects 180, 182 and 184. The server 120 decides the participants
215 to play the exercise competition or the game together when a
plurality of the participants select and register for services in
which a plurality of the participants can participate (step S30).
At this time, the decision of the participants 215 can be made by
amounting to the predetermined number of the participants and/or by
determining the participants 215 to play among the registered
participants after a certain time.
[0057] Thus, when the participants are determined, the exercise
competition or the game starts (step S40). The steps S16 and S20
are preferably executed after deciding the participants to play
before the exercise competition or the game starts. When the
exercise competition or the game starts, the server 120 receives
state signals STA1, STA2 and STA3 on each exercise state
corresponding to each physical action of the participants 215 from
the state signal generation apparatus 150, 160 and 170 (step S45),
and then controls each action of the virtual objects 180, 182 and
184 corresponding to each physical action of the participants 215
(step S50). Execution of the exercise competition or the game can
be displayed through each display means 260 of the participants 215
by transmitting display data including the virtual objects 180, 182
and 184. In this case, in step S50, picture display data, in which
the virtual objects 180, 182 and 184 are controlled and composed,
are transmitted from the server 120. Alternatively, the server 120
may transmit only control commands and the virtual objects 180, 182
and 184 in the exercise competition or the game can be controlled
and composed or modified using the control commands.
[0058] The exercise competition or the-game can be executed by the
processor 240 of the state signal generation apparatus 150, 160 and
170 or by separate processor, etc., using a memory means of the
state signal generation apparatus 150, 160 and 170. In this case,
the server 120 can transmit control commands for synchronizing each
exercise competition or game executed in each system of the
participants 215 and control commands for controlling the virtual
objects 180, 182 and 184 in step S50.
[0059] In step S55, in order to analyze and evaluate the
participant's physical strength and health, and in order to give
exercise prescription information, physical strength and health
information is measured in the sensing section 210, and sensing
signals SNS sensed in the sensing section 210 are transmitted from
the state signal generation apparatus 150, 160 and 170 to the
server 120. If necessary, that is, if the participants 215 have to
do a certain behavior for measuring certain information, an event
such as an abrupt situation, a text, sound, voice, etc., is
displayed on a screen or conveyed via speakers during the exercise
competition or the game so as for the participants to duly
recognize, and prepare for, measurement. After a certain time for
preparing for measurement, physical strength and health information
can be measured in the sensing section 210, and sensing signals SNS
sensed in the sensing section 210 can be transmitted from the state
signal generation apparatus 150, 160 and 170.
[0060] The sensing signals SNS can be used for bio-feedback during
the exercise competition or the game, thereby being able to inform,
for example, whether or not the participant is proper to the
exercise competition or the game. In step S56 for such
bio-feedback, whether or not the participants 215 are proper is
judged using the server 120, etc., after analyzing the state
signals STA1, STA2 and STA3 on physical strength and health state
during the exercise competition or the game. If there is any
improper participant, he is warned/excluded and then can be induced
or forced to return to step S15 in order to remove him from
dangerous situations of the exercise competition or the game and so
as for him to be able to select other level of an exercise
competition or a game (step S57).
[0061] Then, the server 120 determined whether the exercise
competition or the game is finished or not (step S60). If the
exercise competition or the game is not finished, the above steps
after step S40 are repeated with continuous execution of the
exercise competition or the game. If the exercise competition or
the game is finished, the step may be comprised, in which physical
strength and health information to be measured after the game
execution, is measured, if necessary, with generating corresponding
events after the game execution, and measured state signals STA1,
STA2 and STA3 are transmitted (step S65). Also, the step of
analyzing each physical strength and health state of the
participants 215 synthetically can be comprised.
[0062] Subsequently, the server 120 provides information on the
obtained physical strength and health state of the participant in
step S70, preferably with information on evaluation of the physical
strength and health and exercise prescription. In this case,
although not specifically illustrated in the drawings, preferably,
the state signal generation apparatus 150, 160 and 170 may comprise
a smart card reader/writer and the method according to the present
invention may also comprise the step of storing/renewing personal
information and/or physical strength and health information in the
smart card.
[0063] Then, it is confirmed whether or not the participants 215
can play any further exercise competition or the game (step S80).
If the participant 215 wishes to play the same or other exercise
competition or the game, the game is continued to repeat steps from
step S30 for deciding participants to play the same exercise
competition or the game together.
[0064] As described above referring to FIG. 5, only one example
among services which the server 120 can provide, is illustrated and
explained as the method of physically exercising with plurality of
participants using a network. The flowchart shown in FIG. 5 can be
modified depending on a kind or character of a service which the
server 120 provides. For example, in case where the server 120
provides a service for a single participant, the step for deciding
participants to play the same exercise competition or the game
together (step S30) is not required.
[0065] Further, the method of physically exercising with plurality
of participants using a network in accordance with one embodiment
of the present invention can preferably comprise the step of giving
most appropriate exercise prescription for the participant using
the information on the physical health state of the participant.
Also, it is desirable that the method may comprise the step of
providing information on the health state of the participant to
special medical organizations such as hospitals, or exercise
facilities such as health clubs, thereby capable of obtaining more
special consultation.
[0066] Although the present invention has been described in detail
with respect to preferred embodiments thereof, it will be apparent
for those skilled in the art that the descriptions are nothing but
examples, and various modifications, improvements or applications
are possible with respect to the shown embodiment within the scope
of the present invention. For example, the Internet is exemplified
for the network 110 in the present invention, which is not intended
to limit the practice of the present invention. Instead, the
network may also be replaced with a local area network (LAN), etc.,
for inducing mutiple participants. Accordingly, the true technical
scope for protecting the present invention should be defined in the
following claims.
[0067] According to the configuration and acting of the method of,
and the system for, physically exercising with plurality of
participants using a network in accordance with the embodiments of
the present invention described above, the participants can
exercise continuously and interestedly without feeling boredom.
And, the participants can obtain exact information on each physical
health state of themselves and an exercise prescription proper to
each physical health state according to the present invention.
* * * * *